The Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, through the TAKeOFF-KCCR Partner Site, hosted an insightful seminar on qualitative research on Friday, 27th March 2026, as part of its ongoing North–South academic collaboration.
The session was delivered by Alexandra Humpert, a PhD student at the University of Bonn, affiliated with the Institute for Hygiene and Public Health (IHPH) and the Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP). The seminar was organized by the Filariasis Research Group (AG Debrah), led by Prof. Alexander Yaw Debrah, TAKeOFF Consortium Director, and Prof. Linda Batsa Debrah, Ghana Principal Investigator.
Alexandra’s presentation provided a clear and engaging introduction to qualitative research, outlining its purpose, key methodologies, and practical approaches to data collection. She highlighted techniques such as in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and thematic analysis, demonstrating how these methods enable researchers to explore context, meaning, and lived experiences that quantitative data alone cannot fully capture.
A key focus of the seminar was the process of coding and analyzing interview transcripts, where participants gained insights into how qualitative data can be systematically interpreted to generate meaningful patterns and evidence-based narratives. The session emphasized the complementary role of qualitative and quantitative research in strengthening decision-making across both academic and professional fields.
The seminar also underscored the growing relevance of qualitative research in addressing complex challenges in healthcare, social sciences, and global health. Through practical examples and interactive discussions, participants were encouraged to integrate qualitative approaches into their own research to enrich understanding and innovation.
The session concluded with a lively discussion, reflecting strong engagement and appreciation from participants. The exchange of ideas highlighted the value of interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing within the TAKeOFF partnership.
KCCR extends its sincere gratitude to Alexandra Humpert for her impactful presentation and to the project leads for their continued leadership. Appreciation also goes to all participants whose active contributions made the seminar a success.
This seminar served as a powerful reminder of the critical role qualitative research plays in uncovering human perspectives, strengthening evidence-based storytelling, and advancing research that responds effectively to real-world challenges.
